Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel, the brains behind the series Upright! A Cabaret, took their show on the road for two nights at the Viceroy in Palm Springs. Their latest installment presented Adam Lambert, Elizabeth Brackenberry, Wilson Cruz and Jennifer Leigh Warren. Lambert, currently on tour with Wicked, opened the show with “Age of Aquarius” and also did a number from Jesus Christ, Superstar. He has a lovely, well-trained, big voice. Next up was Brackenberry, whose handling of a tipsy, loud woman in the audience was first class, calling her by name and working her into her patter. She did two very funny special material numbers by Goldrich & Heisler, “15 Pounds From My Love” and “Alto’s Lament.” Cruz (My So Called Life, Party of Five, Rent) followed, admitting he had never done cabaret before that evening. He has a big voice and tackled some difficult work, including “Being Alive.” He switched gears, presenting the very fun “He Never Did That Before.” Closing the show Warren, (Big River, Marie Christine) opened with Cole Porter’s “Let’s Do It,” added some special material and ended with a swinging “Goin’ to Kansas City.” Jerry Sternbach was the absolutely wonderful accompanist and musical director for the evening.

Jack Moore
Cabaret Scenes
February 21, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org